Comcast threatens to sue Philly over salary history ban

Cable TV giant Comcast is threatening a costly legal battle if Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney doesn't veto a bill that would ban employers from asking job applicants for their salary history.

Daniel Cohen, a senior vice president at Comcast, tells Philly.com (http://bit.ly/2j3BTC3 ) that a memo sent to the city is supported by Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce CEO Bob Wonderling, who objects to the bill's "hassle factor."

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Councilman Bill Greenlee, the Democrat who sponsored the legislation, says the measure is about requiring employers to base salaries on what a job is worth and the applicant's experience.

But Cohen says the bill is burdensome and makes no sense. Comcast has a pay scale for technical and call center workers, but couldn't fairly craft a pay package for executives like Cohen without knowing what they made previously.